Parashah 39 Chukat - tå;qUj “Law, Statute, Regulation” Torah: B’midbar (Numbers) 19:1 – 22:1 Aliyah 1 - 19:1 - 17 The Red Heifer, uncleanness from death, purification process Aliyah 2 - 19:18 - 20:6 Purification from contact with death; death of Miryam; water dries up Aliyah 3 - 20:7 - 13 Moshe strikes the rock; sentenced not to go into the land with the people Aliyah 4 - 20:14 - 21 Messengers request passage through Edom, refused Aliyah 5 - 20:22 - 21:5 Aharon dies, El’azar clothed; victory over Kena’ani; complaints re: food/water Aliyah 6 - 21:6 - 20 Poisonous snakes, bronze serpent; more traveling Aliyah 7 - 20:21- 22:1 Israel defeats Sichon king of Emori and Og, king of Bashan Haftarah: Shof’tim (Judges) 11:1-33 B’rit Hadashah: Yochanan (John) 3:9-21, 4:3-30, 12:27-50 1. What does it mean to be “unclean?” Why would a person need to be sprinkled with the ash of the red heifer? Is there a rational explanation for this? What is the significance of the third and seventh day? Why is this law given here in this portion? 2. How does the writer of the book of Hebrews parallel the cleansing of the red heifer with our cleansing in Messiah? What is the significance of the sacrifice occurring outside the camp? 3. Traditionally, B’midbar 19 is read twice each year in the synagogue – during the parashah, and in the maftir a few weeks before Passover. Why do you think this is? Can you think of any references to this in the apostolic writings? 4. At the beginning of Numbers 20 there are only a few remaining persons from the original generation that came out of Egypt. Who are they? Who dies in Numbers 20? 5. What did Moshe do wrong that cost him his entrance into the land of promise? Which staff was Moshe to take? What was he told to do with it? Why is Aharon included in the punishment? 6. Why did God send poisonous snakes to punish Israel? How does this connect back to the serpent from the Garden of Eden? How is Moshe’s action an example for disciples of Yeshua today? Torah Study 8.0 www.bethdavidmc.org Parashah 39 Chukat - tå;qUj “Law, Statute, Regulation” 7. What are the names of the two kings whose defeat marked the beginning of the Israelite conquest of the promised land? What people group were they from? How did these events relate to God’s covenant with Avraham in Genesis 15? Questions for reflection and application: 1. (19:2) How do you respond to those who oppose and question God’s clear instructions? (Gen 3:1, Job 1:9-10, Mat 4:3,6, Mat 16:13-18, 2Co 10:5, 1Pe 5:9) 2. (19:18) Is there purity in your life? Is it important to you? How do you get “pure? (Psa 24:3-4, Psa 51:12, Mar 7:21, Luk 11:37-41, Isa 29:13-16) 3. (20:14) Do you still deal with issues from your past? (Gen 32:4, Pro 15:1, Mat 5:25, Rom 12:18, Isa 55:6-7, Job 22:21-22, Heb 12:14) 4. (20:22) Is your journey difficult? Do you know God’s care for you in the details? Have you “arrived?” (Deu 4:4, Mat 10:29, 2Ti 1:12, Psa 143:6-11, Luk 21:10-19) 5. (20:24) What are your thoughts about life after death for yourself? For those you love? For all the world? (Gen 25:8, Isa 65:17, Eze 37:12, Dan 12:2, Mar 12:26-27, Mat 25:21, 1Co 15:19-20, Joh 6:40, Rom 4:16-17, Heb 11:13-16) Torah Study 8.0 www.bethdavidmc.org.